Charlotte FC Rollercoaster Match Ends in 3-2 Triumph Over New York City FC

May 6, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Charlotte FC News Release

Charlotte’s night started with Enzo Copetti ending his MLS goal drought in the eighth minute. It was off a transition where Ashley Westwood picked up the ball and slotted Gaines through in behind, which Gaines then squared into the box where Copetti was waiting to tap it in after a perfectly timed run. Frustrations from NYCFC started brewing early on as a bit of a scrum ensued in the 14th minute which saw Justin Meram and Richard Ledezma receive yellow cards.

Meram made his first start for the Club, and he showed the first glimpse of danger he possesses in the 27th minute when his curling shot dinked off the post. Shortly after Charlotte thought they had their second goal from a Karol Świderski header but the celebrations were short lived when it was called back for offside. Meram continued to show his experience when he saved a goal on the other side by tracking back and making a crucial interception.

Against the run of play in the 37th minute, NYCFC’s Ledezma was able to beat Derrick Jones to a through ball and then slip it to a sneaking Gabriel Pereira who got the better of Jan Sobociński to tie the match. The teams weren’t tied for long because two minutes later Meram and Copetti linked up off a corner that saw Copetti get his brace off an emphatic header and a first CLTFC assist for Meram.

Second Half

Lineup: Kahlina, Lindsey, Malanda (65′), Sobociński, Byrne, Westwood, Jones, Gaines (72′), Świderski, Meram (72′), Copetti

Substitutes: Bronico (65′), Vargas (72′), Diop (72′)

Ten minutes after the start of the second half, NYCFC got their break when some nifty passing was rewarded with a penalty when Adilson Malanda was beat with a pass inside the box and tried to recover but took out Braian Cufré from behind. Santiago Rodriguez stepped up and buried the penalty for his team.

Malanda hurt himself on the play, tried to stay in the match, but could no longer continue and came off for Brandt Bronico in the 65th minute. Kerwin Vargas and Hamady followed suit, subbing on for Meram and Gaines who both had strong performances.

It seemed all season that Charlotte couldn’t catch any breaks but that break came by way of an own goal in favor of CLTFC in the 74th minute. Świderski won the free kick and delivered the the ball that NYCFC’s Ledezma tried to clear but instead flicked back into his own goal. The Crown now had the task of holding on to their lead for the next 20 minutes and…